Insulating concrete form system with fire-break ties

ABSTRACT

An insulating concrete form foam block bi-directional system comprises a pair of opposed and parallel foam sidewall panels spaced using a plurality of plastic and metal band ties that act as a fire-break between the two exterior finished concrete wall surfaces. Each tie comprises nearly full sidewall height, plastic flanges which engage the sidewalls and a metal band cross-connecting vertical holders of the ties. The metal band forms a wide opening to enhance concrete flow. The tie results in a minimal downward stress impact on the tie during concrete placement. The top and bottom surfaces of each sidewall are formed with raised areas and non-raised areas which interlock with adjacent blocks. The side surfaces of each sidewall are formed with vertical tongues and grooves which interlock with like tongues and grooves of corner pieces which are adapted to form right or left-hand comers.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLYSPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

(Not applicable)

REFERENCE TO SEQUENTIAL LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTINGAPPENDIX SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to concrete construction utilizing foamblock forms, more specifically to improvements to the foam sidewallsused to create a longitudinally bi-directional system, improved formsidewall spacing ties which create enhanced concrete flow, enhancedstrength, and enhanced fire-break properties, and a corner form that canbe used as a right-hand or left-hand form.

2. Description of the Related Art

Concrete forms made of a polymeric foam material are known. Such formsbasically comprise a pair of laterally spaced-apart sidewalls presentinga cavity therebetween. A number of these forms are connected to presentlongitudinally and vertically aligned cavities for pouring concretetherein.

One such form is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,788,020, issued on Jan. 29,1974. This patent discloses a concrete form with a pair of sidewalls,end walls and intermediate partition walls. A plurality of these formsare connected to present vertical cavities for pouring concrete thereinto form a plurality of vertical concrete columns or piers. Thesevertical columns are connected by a horizontal concrete beam formed byfilling a channel with concrete, the channel presented upon placing onerow of concrete forms atop another.

One problem with existing concrete forms is that the sidewalls must beimmobilized so as to resist pressures on the walls during transport and,more importantly, during concrete pouring and curing. If not, the formsidewalls may shift in lateral and/or vertical and/or longitudinaldirections. Such displacements make it difficult to easily connect theforms. Also, the forms may separate along the joints respectivelypresented along the zones of connection between longitudinally andvertically adjacent forms. If the forms are not sufficiently braced, theconcrete can cause these joints to separate. The industry refers to suchseparations as “blow outs”.

During the pouring of the concrete, a hydraulic concrete load acts onthe sidewalls of each form as well as on any structure spanning suchsidewalls. The load urges the sidewalls from their proper vertical,lateral and longitudinal spatial relationships. Also, during formtransport to the job site, the sidewalls may be displaced due to theweight of other forms stacked thereon. In some cases the distancebetween the sidewalls may vary. Accordingly, problems will arise whenattempting to longitudinally and vertically connect forms as the matinglap joint surfaces and/or tongue/groove elements will not be properlyaligned.

The closest related publications known to the inventor are U.S. Pat. No.4,223,501 granted to DeLozier Sep. 23, 1980 and Published U.S.Application 2004/0045237 invented by Coombs et al and published Mar. 11,2004. Each of these publications shows concrete forms made of opposingpanels. The panels are held in spaced relationship by ties. In thepatent publication, the tie contains inadequate open space to allow forthe free flow of concrete necessary during a pouring operation in orderto avoid air pockets which will weaken the resulting wall. In both ofthese publications, the tie is a single piece bent at each side to forman anchor. This allows for lateral movement during shipping and acorresponding loss of alignment. When this happens the units do not fittogether properly on the construction site.

Also, in both of these publications, the tie is made of metal, whichconducts heat and can be a mode of transmitting heat during fire.Additionally, in both of these publications there is no predeterminedspace for connecting the form to studs.

As seen from the above, various devices in the forms of braces andpermanent tension members have been proposed so as to maintain thesidewalls in place to preclude such shifting and/or “blow outs” duringconcrete pouring and subsequent curing. However, such devices have beenrelatively complex in construction requiring the sidewalls to havespecial configurations so as to receive the braces and/or ties and havelacked desirable features.

In prior art systems, comers present some problems. Typically a wallform is extended to the end of the wall and a piece of foam plastic issecured over the end of the wall form by wire or the like.

This type of end is difficult to secure to the wall form, frequentlybreaks during concrete pouring, and is not securely fastened to the wallform. This creates unnecessary labor in fixing breaks, setting up theforms, and affixing exterior sheathing to the corner of the wall.

In another prior art approach, the specific corner form is provided, butit is preformed for a certain specific job and must be either aright-hand corner or a left-hand corner. Right-hand or left-handorientation is always determined from a top plan view because theseforms have by necessity a top end and a bottom end. Therefore, aright-hand corner form cannot be substituted for a left-hand corner andvisa versa. This doubles the number of types of molds required toproduce the corner forms, doubles the types of corner forms needed ininventory, increases delivery costs, and so forth.

Therefore, there is a need for a corner form for a concrete wall that isuniversal, that is, can be used for either a right-hand or left-handwall corner; that can be securely and easily attached to the wall form;that does not break during concrete pouring; and that is securelyfastened to the wall form.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to maintaining the positive aspects ofthe advances already made by the prior art while eliminating the problemareas. Thus, the inventor has invented improvements in concrete forms.

A particular object of this invention is to provide a concrete formbi-directional system which enhances on-site assembly of the concreteform walls. This improvement takes the form of a bi-directionalinsulating concrete form system having novel upper, lower, and sidesurfaces that provide one-hundred eighty degree rotation of the formcreating a bi-directional orientation for corresponding insulatingconcrete forms. Forty-five and ninety degree corner blocks are also partof this invention.

One improvement disclosed in this invention is a corner form for aconcrete wall. This form creates a universal corner form, that is, itcan be used to create right-hand or left-hand wall corners in concretewalls. Another feature of this corner form is that it can be securelyand easily attached to the wall form. Another feature of this cornerform is that it can provide a corner form for a concrete wall that doesnot break during concrete pouring. This corner form for a concrete wallis securely fastened to the wall form.

Another improvement over the prior art is a form tie, more particularly,novel form ties for maintaining the sidewalls of a concrete form indesired longitudinal, vertical and laterally spaced-apart relationshipsthat also serve as a fire-break. Each form tie generally comprises apair of plastic vertical side pieces with a pair of metal horizontalpieces spanning the form sidewalls. The ties are formed by connecting apair of plastic vertical side pieces with a pair of metal horizontalpieces. The horizontal pieces are located at the upper and lower ends ofthe vertical pieces. The vertical side pieces are embedded in thesidewalls of the forms during the molding process with the horizontalpieces spanning the facing interior surfaces of the sidewalls. The tiespreclude lateral, vertical and longitudinal shifting of the sidewallsduring transport and use. The ties of the present invention find use inconcrete forms and effectively interface with the form sidewalls so asto maintain the walls in a desired spatial relationship during transportas well as concrete pouring and curing. The forms of the presentinvention also automatically present a longitudinally enhancedfire-break resulting from the innovative use of metal band horizontalpieces and thermoplastic vertical side pieces. During a fire, thethermoplastic vertical side pieces melt and do not conduct heat to thehorizontal pieces. Thus, the heat stays on one side of the enclosedconcrete. Also, the ties are oriented to reduce downward stress on theties, as a whole, during the pouring of plastic concrete in the cavityformed between the sidewalls.

The ties resist loads that impart tension, compression, bending,twisting and lateral stresses acting thereon. The ties also diminish thelateral, vertical and longitudinal displacement of adjacent sidewalls ofa concrete form during transport and use. The ties of the presentinvention further enhance on-site assembly of the concrete forms,inclusive of the installation of exterior finish materials attachedthereto. These ties effectively resist the forces arising from concreteflow but without interference with the concrete flow in the cavitybetween the form sidewalls and between adjacent forms.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent fromthe following description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example, nowpreferred embodiments of this invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevational perspective view of an elongated concrete formof the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an elevational top view of the elongated form shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an elevational perspective view of one embodiment of anelongated form sidewall of this invention.

FIG. 4 is an elevational end view of the elongated form sidewall of FIG.3.

FIG. 5 is an elevational top view of the elongated form sidewall of FIG.3.

FIG. 6 is an elevational side view showing the inside of the elongatedform sidewall of FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is an elevational perspective view of another embodiment of anelongated form sidewall of this invention.

FIG. 8 is an elevational end view of the elongated form sidewall of FIG.7.

FIG. 9 is an elevational top view of the elongated form sidewall of FIG.7.

FIG. 10 is an elevational side view of the elongated form sidewall ofFIG. 7.

FIG. 11 is an elevational end view of an elongated form of thisinvention.

FIG. 12 is an elevational perspective view of a part of an elongatedform sidewall showing a male connection.

FIG. 13 is an elevational perspective view of a part of an elongatedform sidewall showing a female connection.

FIG. 14 is an elevational perspective view of an elongated form of thepresent invention showing the contours of the form.

FIG. 15 is an elevational top view showing a corner form of thisinvention in place.

FIG. 16 is an enlarged elevational top view of a portion of a firstsidewall shown in FIG. 15, showing the male connection in detail.

FIG. 17 is an enlarged elevational top view of a portion of a secondsidewall shown in FIG. 15, showing the female connection in detail.

FIG. 18 is an elevational perspective view of a corner form of thisinvention.

FIG. 19 is an enlarged detail view of the corner of the form of FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is an elevational side view of the open side of the form of FIG.15.

FIG. 21 is an elevational side view of the closed side of the form ofFIG. 15.

FIG. 22 is an elevational side view of the form of FIG. 15 from theright end of the form.

FIG. 23 is an enlarged detail view showing the top end of the form asseen in FIG. 22.

FIG. 24 is an enlarged detail view showing the bottom end of the form asseen in FIG. 22.

FIG. 25 is an elevational top view of a corner form sidewall of thisinvention.

FIG. 26 is an enlarged elevational top view showing the male edge of theform sidewall of FIG. 25.

FIG. 27 is an enlarged elevational top view showing the female edge ofthe form sidewall of FIG. 25.

FIG. 28 is an elevational perspective view of a corner form sidewall ofthe present invention.

FIG. 29 is an enlarged elevational perspective view showing the topcorner of the corner form sidewall of the present invention.

FIG. 30 is an elevational side view of a corner form sidewall of thisinvention.

FIG. 31 is an enlarged side elevational view of the top portion of thecorner form sidewall shown in FIG. 30.

FIG. 32 is an enlarged elevational side view of the bottom portion ofthe corner form sidewall shown in FIG. 30.

FIG. 33 is an elevational side view of a first corner sidewall sectionfor a form of this invention.

FIG. 34 is an enlarged elevational side view of the top end of thesection of FIG. 33 showing detail.

FIG. 35 is an enlarged elevational side view of the bottom end of thesection of FIG. 33 showing detail.

FIG. 36 is an elevational end view of a corner sidewall of thisinvention.

FIG. 37 is an enlarged elevational end view of the corner shown in FIG.36 showing detail.

FIG. 38 is an elevational perspective view of a corner sidewall.

FIG. 39 is an elevational perspective view of a top corner section of acorner sidewall shown in FIG. 38 showing detail.

FIG. 40 is an elevational top view of a corner sidewall of thisinvention.

FIG. 41 is an elevational top view of a first end of the corner sidewallof FIG. 40 showing detail.

FIG. 42 is an elevational top view of a second end of the cornersidewall of FIG. 40 showing detail.

FIG. 43 is an elevational side view of a tie of the present invention

FIG. 44 is an elevational front view of a tie of the present invention

FIG. 45 is an elevational perspective view of a tie of the presentinvention.

FIG. 46 is a top cross-sectional view of a form of one embodiment havingties attached thereto.

FIG. 47 is a front cross-sectional view of a form of one embodimenthaving ties attached thereto.

FIG. 48 is an end cross-sectional view of a pair of concrete formsidewalls of this invention having ties attached thereto.

FIG. 49 is an elevational perspective view of a sidewall of oneembodiment of this invention having ties attached thereto.

FIG. 50 is an elevational perspective view of a wall using the forms ofthis invention under construction.

FIG. 51 is an elevational perspective view showing the placement of abottom layer of forms in a wall.

FIGS. 52 and 53 are cross-sectional views of the forms of this inventionhaving rebars passing through poured concrete and inner and outerfinishing.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The invention will now be described with reference to the above drawingswherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout thedescription.

Turning more particularly to the drawings, FIGS. 1-14, show one type oflongitudinal concrete form 2 which comprises a pair of rectangularsidewalls 4. These sidewalls 4 are preferably made of fire-resistantfoamed plastic. Each sidewall 4 has upper 6 and lower 8 longitudinalsurfaces as well as a pair of opposed vertical surfaces 10. Eachsidewall 4 has an inner surface 12 and an outer surface 14. When thelongitudinal form 2 is assembled, the inner surfaces 12 of the sidewalls4 cooperate to form a plurality of vertical cavities 16 and a verticalslot 18. The slot 18 longitudinally spans the length of the form 2 andconnects the cavities 16. The outer surface 14 is flat and serves toreceive facing or studs.

As shown best in FIG. 11, each sidewall 4′, 4″ has a raised portion 20and a non-raised portion 22 along the upper surface 6 which mate with acomplementary non-raised portion 22 and raised 20 portion located alongthe lower surface 8 of an overlying form 2. In each sidewall 4′ 4″, thevertical surfaces 10′, 10″ as shown best in FIG. 2 are made up of atongue 24 and groove 26. For a first (outer) sidewall 4′, a firstvertical surface 10′ has a tongue 24 and the second vertical surface 10″has a corresponding groove 26. For the second (inner) sidewall 4″ of aform 2, the sidewall 4″ opposite the first sidewall 4′, the firstvertical surface 10′ has a groove 26 and the second vertical surface 10″has a tongue 24 as best seen in FIGS. 12 and 13. Accordingly, the forms2 may be connected in longitudinally extending courses and stacked oneatop the other. In the above, “outer” and “inner” are related to theexterior or interior of the building. This is best shown in FIGS. 50 and51.

Referring to FIGS. 50 and 51, the first course of longitudinal forms 2is positioned atop a footing 28 and held in place by various materialssuch as plastic roof cement. It is understood that other types ofconnection of the first row of longitudinal forms 2 to the footing 28may be utilized, such as placing the forms 2 in a wet footing 28 andallowing the footing 28 to subsequently dry. Upon reaching a desiredheight of the forms 2, wet concrete is poured between the form sidewalls4. From FIG. 50, it is seen that the forms 2 are staggered among rows soas to preclude formation of a continuous vertical joint among the formrows. The poured concrete fills the vertical cavities 16 andlongitudinally extending vertical slot 18 of each form 2. Also, uponstacking a second course of forms 2 atop the first course of forms 2, ahorizontal channel is formed which spans the upper and lower forms 2.The poured concrete will fill the channel of the form 2. Thus, aconcrete wall within the interior of the forms 2 is presented. The forms2 are left in place for insulating the resulting concrete wall. Wallclips (not shown) may be used for attaching exterior siding thereto.Such clips are the subject of a separate patent application by theinventor.

It is known that the courses of the forms 2 may be selectivelyconfigured so as to present walls of various configurations. Also, doorframes, window frames, bucks, bulkheads, and the like may interrupt thecourses of forms 2 so as to provide openings for insertion of doors,windows and the like therein while precluding spillage of pouredconcrete from the forms 2.

Referring to FIGS. 15-42, corner forms 30 of this invention will bedescribed. There is shown a universal corner form 30 for concrete walls.By universal corner form 30, it is intended to mean that there is anopen left-hand side 32 of the corner form 30 or an open right-hand side34 which can fit onto either end of the forms 2 of the presentinvention.

As can best be seen in FIGS. 15-17, the vertical surfaces 36 of thecorner form 30 are the same as the vertical surfaces 10 of the sidewallforms 2. Also, the upper 6 and lower 8 longitudinal surfaces of thecorner pieces 30 are configured identically to the upper 6 and lower 8surfaces of the sidewall forms 2.

With reference to the sidewall form 2 shown in FIG. 14, it may beassumed that the sidewall 4 which has the tongue 24 on the verticalsurface 10 is the outer sidewall 4′ while the sidewall 4 which has thegroove 26 on the vertical surface 10 is the inner sidewall 4″.

In order to make a left corner using the above form, the open right-handside 34 of the corner form 30 as shown in FIG. 15 is connected to theabove form 2. Similar straight forms 2 may then be connected to the openleft-hand side 32 of the corner form 30. In such an arrangement, theupper longitudinal surface 6 of both the straight forms 2 and the cornerforms 30 will contain raised portions 20 along the outer surface 14 andnon-raised portions 22 along the inner surfaces 12.

In a like manner, to form a right corner using the above corner form 30,the open left-hand side 32 of the corner form 30 shown in FIG. 15 isconnected to the above straight form 2. Again, straight forms 2 may beconnected to the free end of the corner form 30. In such an arrangement,the upper longitudinal surface 6 of both the sidewalls 4 and the cornerpieces will contain raised portions 20 along the outer surface 14 andnon-raised portions 22 along the inner surfaces 12.

Should the straight form 2 be in place such that the outer sidewall 4′contains an upper longitudinal surface 6 having a raised portion 20along inner surface 12 and a non-raised portion 22 along the outersurface 14, the corner form 30 may simply be turned over so that theformer upper longitudinal surface 6 is now the lower longitudinalsurface 8. The corner form 30 will then have an outer sidewall 4′ whichcontains an upper longitudinal surface 6 having a raised portion 20along inner surface 12 and a non-raised portion 22 along the outersurface 14. This allows the corner form 30 of the present invention tobe a universal corner form as it can form a left corner or right cornerregardless of the configuration of the vertical surfaces of thesidewalls 4 of the form 2.

Referring to FIGS. 43-49, the ties 38 of this invention are described.Each tie 38 presents an overall square or rectangular configuration. Thetie 38 comprises first and second laterally spaced-apart verticalthermoplastic side pieces 40 with two connecting metal horizontal pieces42 therebetween.

Each side piece 40 generally comprises a vertical holder 44 having aproximal edge 46 and a distal edge 48. The proximal edge 46 is of lesserlength than the distal edge 48. The vertical holder 44 contains aplurality of holes 50 to allow the passage of polystyrene beads and toavoid the buildup of air pockets in the vicinity of the tie 38. The sidepiece 40 contains a vertical flange 52 laterally displaced from eachside of the proximal edge 46 of the vertical holder 44. The presence oftwo flanges 52 gives added dimensional stability and strength to theprepared form 2.

A horizontal piece 42 in the form of a thin metal band extends betweenapproximately the midline between the proximal edge 46 and the distaledge 48 of a first vertical holder 44 and approximately thecorresponding midline of a second vertical holder 44 at the lower ends54 thereof. Likewise, upper ends 56 of first and second vertical holders44 are similarly joined by a metal horizontal piece 42. The horizontalpieces 42 may be secured to the vertical holders 44 by common fasteningdevices, preferably rivets. Dimensional stability may be assured byhaving the horizontal pieces 42 fit into grooves 58 in the verticalholders 44. Complimentary notches 60 and protrusions 62 in thehorizontal pieces 42 and the vertical holders 44 serve to increaselateral and vertical dimensional stability of the tie 38 and any form 2containing the tie 38. The thin metal band horizontal piece 42 islocated such that the upper 64 and lower surfaces 66 are narrow and thetwo side surfaces 68 are wide.

In the event of a fire on a first side of a concrete wall prepared usingthe ties 38 and forms 2 of the present invention, the thermoplastic sidepieces 40 melt and cannot transfer sufficient heat to the metalhorizontal pieces 42 to allow the fire to spread to the opposite side ofthe concrete wall.

As is known in the prior art, two bipartite molds are used for formingthe sidewalls of the polymeric concrete form. Polystyrene beads areblown into the respective sidewall molds at a first temperature with thebeads expanding upon cooling so as to fill the mold. Upon the beadsbeing reheated at an elevated temperature, a second expansion occurs sothat the foam fills the mold. Upon removal of the mold the sidewalls 4are presented.

One problem which has arisen with the use of form ties is that thesidewall molds must have openings therein to allow for insertion of theends of the tie in each mold and extension of the tie between thesidewall molds. In turn, the expanding foam may escape from these moldopenings. Such a leakage/seepage of the foam from the mold may impairform integrity and lead to undesirable ruptures, cracks, etc. in theforms. Such defects may not be visibly apparent until the form sidewallsare subjected to the hydraulic loads presented by the poured concretebetween the form sidewalls.

In response to such a problem, the vertical side pieces 40 of the ties38 of this invention are configured to seal the mold openings. The forms2 are prepared as a unit with the ties 38 being embedded in thesidewalls 4. Thus, the vertical side pieces 40 preclude escape of theexpanding polystyrene foam from the mold. Also, the distance betweenthese vertical side pieces 40 defines the length of the horizontalpieces 42 and thus the resulting lateral displacement between thesidewalls 4. Accordingly, the coplanar relationship of the opposed,interior surfaces 12 of the sidewalls 4 presents a visual gauge of acommon lateral displacement between the sidewalls 4 of the forms 2.

Thus, the horizontal pieces 42 fix and maintain a desired lateraldistance between the interior surfaces 12 of the sidewalls 4 of the form2. This common lateral modularity assures the builder that the stackedforms will present even exterior surfaces

As best shown in FIGS. 46-49, the ties 38 are embedded in the sidewalls4 of the form 2. As such, they resist any forces acting thereon whichmay disrupt the monolithic structure of the sidewall 4. The horizontalpieces 42 span the sidewalls 4. As such, a plurality of horizontalpieces extends between the sidewalls 4 so as to maintain the distancetherebetween in the presence of hydraulic concrete loads. It is notedthat the horizontal pieces 42 are so arranged as to present a minimalamount of surface to a longitudinal concrete flow through the form 2.

The ties 38, as above described, resist tension, compression, bending,twisting and lateral forces acting thereon during transport as well asduring concrete pouring and curing.

Thus, longitudinal shifting of the sidewalls 4 of the form 2 isparticularly precluded. Such preclusion also contributes to theelimination or reduction in the width modularity during form use.

Referring to FIGS. 52 and 53, following construction of the form walland prior to the pouring of the concrete, horizontal rebars 70 areplaced on the upper surface 64 of one lower horizontal piece 42 and thecorresponding surface 64 of the other lower horizontal pieces 42 of theties 38. Following the installation of horizontal rebars 70, verticalrebars 72 are installed offset from the center of the form 2 to lendsupport to the concrete wall. Following the installation of verticalrebars 72, the vertical 72 and horizontal 70 rebars are tied into place.

As best seen in FIGS. 3-10, some of the inner sidewalls 4″ containnotches 96 on the upper longitudinal surface 6 thereof. These notches 96may hold the short side of L-shaped pieces (not shown). The long side ofsuch pieces will fit against the outer surface 14 of the sidewalls 4.The configuration of the short side of the L-shaped piece is such thatit completely fills the notch 96. The configuration of the long side ofthe L-shaped piece is such that it will lie flat along the outer surface14 of the inner sidewall 4″. The long side presents a solid surface toaid in nailing studs to the inner sidewall 4″. To this end, the distancebetween the notches 96 is equal to the conventional distance betweenstuds.

It is to be understood that while certain forms of this invention anddimensions have been illustrated and described, the invention is notlimited thereto except insofar as such limitations are included in thefollowing claims and allowable functional equivalents thereof.

1. An insulating form for concrete which is stackable side-by-side andvertically above and below with other like forms comprising a pair ofrectangular foam plastic sidewalls making up an inner sidewall and anouter sidewall, each sidewall having: a) an upper longitudinal surfacehaving a raised portion and a non-raised portion, b) a lowerlongitudinal surface having a raised portion and a non-raised portion soas to allow top-to-bottom attachment of like forms, c) opposed verticalsurfaces, a first vertical surface having a tongue and a second verticalsurface having a groove so as to allow end-to-end attachment of likeforms, d) an inner surface, such that when the two sidewalls arepositioned to create the form, the inner surfaces of the sidewalls forma plurality of vertical cavities and vertical slots, d) a flat outersurface, and e) a plurality of ties molded therein and connecting thesidewalls and maintaining the sidewalls at a constant distance from eachother.
 2. The form of claim 1, wherein each tie is rectangular inconfiguration, comprises first and second laterally spaced-apartvertical side pieces with two connecting horizontal pieces therebetween.3. The form of claim 2, wherein the spaced-apart vertical side piecesare made of thermoplastic material and the connecting horizontal piecesare made of metal.
 4. The form of claim 3, wherein, in the ties, eachside piece comprises a vertical holder having a proximal edge and adistal edge and vertical flanges laterally displaced from each side ofthe distal edge of the vertical holder.
 5. The form of claim 4, wherein,in the ties, each vertical holder contains a plurality of holes.
 6. Theform of claim 5, wherein, in the ties, the vertical holders havemidlines between the distal edges and the proximal edges and theconnecting horizontal pieces extend from the midline of one verticalholder to the midline of the other vertical holder.
 7. The form of claim6, wherein the horizontal pieces and the vertical holders havecomplimentary notches and protrusions for increased stability of theties.
 8. A tie for connecting two foamed plastic sidewalls together tomake a form for pouring concrete, the tie is rectangular inconfiguration, comprises first and second laterally spaced-apartvertical thermoplastic side pieces with two metal horizontal connectingpieces therebetween.
 9. The tie of claim 8, wherein the side piecescomprise a vertical holder having a proximal edge and a distal edge andvertical flanges laterally displaced from each side of the proximal edgeof the vertical holder.
 10. The tie of claim 9, wherein each verticalholder contains a plurality of holes.
 11. The tie of claim 10, whereinthe vertical holders have midlines between the distal edges and theproximal edges and the connecting horizontal pieces extend from themidline of one vertical holder to the midline of the other verticalholder.
 12. The tie of claim 11, wherein the horizontal pieces and thevertical holders have complimentary notches and protrusions forincreased stability of the tie.
 13. An insulating corner form forconcrete which is stackable vertically above and below with other likeforms and is attachable to sidewall forms containing ends having atongue on one sidewall and a groove on the other sidewall comprising apair of angled foam plastic walls making up an inner wall and an outerwall, each wall having: a) an upper longitudinal surface having a raisedportion and a non-raised portion, b) a lower longitudinal surface havinga raised portion and a non-raised portion so as to allow top-to-bottomattachment of like forms, c) opposed vertical surfaces, a first verticalsurface having a tongue and a second vertical surface having a groove soas to allow end-to-end attachment of the corner form with like-endedsidewall forms, d) an inner surface, such that when the two walls arepositioned to create the form, the inner surfaces of the walls form aplurality of vertical cavities and vertical slots, d) a flat outersurface, and e) a plurality of ties connecting the sidewalls andmaintaining the sidewalls at a constant distance from each other. 14.The form of claim 13, wherein the angle is a right angle.
 15. acombination comprising: the corner form of claim 13 and at least oneinsulating form for concrete which is stackable side-by-side andvertically above and below with other like forms comprising a pair ofrectangular foam plastic sidewalls making up an inner sidewall and anouter sidewall, each sidewall having: a) an upper longitudinal surfacehaving a raised portion and a non-raised portion, b) a lowerlongitudinal surface having a raised portion and a non-raised portion soas to allow top-to-bottom attachment of like forms, c) opposed verticalsurfaces, a first vertical surface having a tongue and a second verticalsurface having a groove so as to allow end-to-end attachment of likeforms, d) an inner surface, such that when the two sidewalls arepositioned to create the form, the inner surfaces of the sidewalls forma plurality of vertical cavities and vertical slots, d) a flat outersurface, and e) a plurality of ties molded therein and connecting thesidewalls and maintaining the sidewalls at a constant distance from eachother.
 16. The combination of claim 15, wherein the ties are rectangularin configuration, comprise first and second laterally spaced-apartvertical thermoplastic side pieces with two metal horizontal connectingpieces therebetween, the side pieces comprise a vertical holder having aproximal edge and a distal edge, and vertical flanges are laterallydisplaced from each side of the distal edge of the vertical holder. 17.The combination of claim 16, wherein each vertical holder contains aplurality of holes.
 18. The combination of claim 17, wherein eachvertical holder has a midline between the distal edge and the proximaledge thereof and the connecting horizontal pieces extend from themidline of one vertical holder to the midline of the other verticalholder.
 19. The combination of claim 18, wherein the horizontal piecesand the vertical holders have complimentary notches and protrusions forincreased stability of the tie.